No: 178, 18 June 2019, Press Release Regarding The Eu General Affairs Council Conclusions On Turkey

Republic Of Turkey Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 19.06.2019

We reject the parts of the EU General Affairs Council Conclusions of 18
June meeting regarding Turkey.

These conclusions show how far the EU is from understanding the steps taken
by Turkey despite the conditions it finds itself in and the challenges it
faces. The EU made a grave mistake in 2004 by accepting the Greek Cypriot
Administration as an EU member. For the sake of carrying on with this
mistake, the EU is now demeaning Turkey-EU relations to the Cyprus issue
and becoming a hostage of it. It is apparent that the EU has produced
today’s conclusions in a partisan way and completely from the Greek Cypriot
perspective.

The EU has acted as a bargain based interests-group rather than a community
upholding principles and values. This is contrary to the EU’s founding
philosophy.

The EU by positioning itself as a court and attempting to render a judgment
on bilateral disputes related to sovereignty under the pretext of “Union
solidarity” and issuing politically motivated biased statements with regard
to sensitive issues such as maritime boundary delimitation that comprise
extremely technical dimensions, does not serve regional peace and
stability. It is well-known that in the past, the EU never took stance in
bilateral issues of overlapping maritime jurisdiction claims of its own
members. The EU’s current position is in fact based on the unequitable and
maximalist claims of Greece and the Greek Cypriots regarding the Aegean and
Eastern Mediterranean aiming at usurping the rights of Turkey and of the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – the co-owner of the island of Cyprus.
We totally reject these claims.

The Council Conclusions related to the Eastern Mediterranean are lacking
legal basis. We call on the EU to change this biased and unrealistic
approach.

Turkey continues to stand for peace and stability in the Aegean and the
Eastern Mediterranean, as in all the surrounding seas. Those taking steps
against the legitimate rights and interests of Turkey and the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean and ignoring the
presence of Turkey in the region as the country with the longest
continental coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean will never reach their
goals.

Turkish Cypriots have proposed to establish a joint energy committee for
the energy resources/revenues of the Island. This proposal has been
rejected by the Greek Cypriots. Until a political settlement is found on
the Island, the establishment of such a committee will be a positive step
and by enhancing the confidence between parties, facilitate a comprehensive
settlement.

Until this happens, Turkey remains determined to take the necessary steps
with a view to protecting its rights and interests within its own maritime
jurisdiction areas as well as the legitimate rights and interests of the
Turkish Cypriots. No one should doubt it.

Turkey will continue taking resolute and sincere steps in its EU process
despite the EU’s biased approach. Turkey is not moving away from the EU as
alleged. On the contrary, the EU is pushing Turkey away by not acting in a
fair and honest manner. The EU is also losing credibility in the eyes of
the Turkish people. In the face of global challenges such as terrorism,
irregular migration and energy security, it will be to the EU’s own
interest to act with a strategic vision and to abandon its partial stance.

Monday - Friday

09:00 - 16:00 / Kon. 09:00 - 14:00

Visa applications of foreigners subject to visa who wish to travel to Turkey are accepted by Visafg (www.visafg.com) .
Before the application, it is necessary to make an appointment at www.visafg.com and obtain the necessary documents.
Emir Bachir Street Lazarists Building A2-1 1st floor Beirut Central District - Lebanon beirut@visafg.com +961 (0) 1 97 06 05)
www.visafg.com